research methods Flashcards
What are overt observations? give strengths and weaknesses
when ppts are aware of their part in an observation and have given consent.
good ethics
demand characteristics
what are covert observations? give an example. and strengths and weaknesses
When the ppts are not sully aware that they are being studied. ie using one way mirrors.
difficult to replicate to test reliability.
high ecological validity
give 5 ethical guideline for animals studies.
appropriate care and accommodation ie sufficient food, cage size, movement during study.
all captive-breed animals should be obtained from home office registered supplier
Disposal: When the research is over, animals should be disposed of humanely; ideally they should be kept alive for breeding or as pets
Some food deprivation is allowable (and may be normal and healthy for animals) but distress should be minimised
Anaesthetics should be used to minimise pain; animals should be given medical treatment after research; humane killing must be considered if suffering cannot be reduced
what are the 3 R’s
reduction - use the least amount of animals in your study as possible to get desired results.
refinement - procedures should cause this least amount of suffering as necessary as possible whilst still getting the aims.
replacement - use other non animal alternatives were appropriate.
Outline strengths of animal research
Moral obligation to advance human knowledge, animal suffering is justifiable for scientific and medical purposes to avoid human suffering.
Continuity - evolution, we have evolved from animals, highly conserved genetics and CNS, genuine human insight.
Animals are not subject to demand characteristics.
what are weaknesses of animal research?
Continuity - animals are so closely related thus able to feel emotions in a similar way causes an ethical dilemma.
lacks ecological validity - not representative of animals natural habitat.
Singer 1975 equality of all species. this is specisesism like racism. prejudice and discrimination towards other species.
Harry harlow - separated baby monkeys from their mothers and they experienced high levels of anxiety and distress. chewed fingers and toes, biting off heads
How can observations be used to generate quantitative data?
Tallies
How can observations be used to generate quantitative data?
audio and recording - thematic analysis
what are the two types of sampling used when a researcher wants to records everything that happens
event sampling - the observer records each event that meets and predetermined characteristic ie scratching your head.
time sampling - decide on a time interval ie 5 second and records behaviour that is occurring at that time.
what are structured observations. give 2 strengths and weaknesses
the researcher sets up an event so the behaviour can more easily be measured.
quantitive data in form of tally - objective
high reliability as it can be replicated
can lead to researcher bias as based off researcher observation.
difficult to standardised behaviours, subjective, ie what someone sees as aggression someone else might not.
what are naturalistic observations?
observing ppts in natural environment. no attempts of intervention.
high external validity - natural, no demand characteristics. tend to have diverse samples so good generalisability
time consuming
subjective, behaviours can be easily missed
what is ppt observation
observer ppt in the study ie milligram or Rosenhan
subjective
insider knowledge/viewpoint
what is non ppt observation
the researcher doesn’t directly ppt in the study or activities being studied by observes through cameras or mirrors.
objective - minimises bias
ethics - uninformed consent.
